Frame rail attachment for seating structures

ABSTRACT

An attachment for the frame rails in seating structures for maintaining the rails in a predetermined spaced relation comprising a one piece metal body formed from a thin gauge rolled or formed section. The body is bent so as to form an elongated main section, of a length corresponding substantially to the desired spacing between the frame rails, and upturned end sections. The main section is a cross-sectional shape to provide for an efficient utilization of the metal therein to resist seat spring loads which tend to move the rails toward each other, and this same cross-sectional shape is utilized in the upturned end sections to preclude squirming of the attachment on the rails.

United States Patent Albin J. Nievvulis Lexington, Ky.

Dec. 6, 1968 Aug. 17, 1971 Hoover Ball and Bearing Company Saline, Mich.

lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee FRAME RAIL ATTACHMENT FOR SEATING STRUCTURES 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

11.5. C1 5/264, 297/452, 297/462 Int. Cl A47c 7/00, A47c 23/00 Field ofSeareh 297/439,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 139,561 6/1873 Farrell 160/379 3,266,844 8/1966 Amstutz 297/462 X 3,348,244 10/ 1967 Fasanella 5/17 Primary Examiner-Casmire A. Nunberg Attorney-Olsen and Stephenson ABSTRACT: An attachment for the frame rails in seating structures for maintaining the rails in a predetermined spaced relation comprising a one piece metal body formed from a thin gauge rolled or formed section. The body is bent so as to form an elongated main section, of a length corresponding substantially to the desired spacing between the frame rails, and upturned end sections. The main section is a cross-sectiona1 shape to provide for an efficient utilization of the metal therein to resist seat spring loads which tend to move the rails toward each other, and this same cross-sectional shape is utilized in the upturned end sections to preclude squirming of the attachment on the rails.

PATENTEDAUGI 71971 3,599,254

INVENTOR ALBIN J. NIEWULIS ATTORNEYS FRAME RAIL ATTACHMENT FOR SEATING STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Seating structures, particularly couches and sofas, commonly include elongated front and rear frame rails which support the seating structure springs. The springs exert forces on the rails which tend to force the rails inwardly toward each other. As a result, such structures are usually provided with internal braces, sometimes called seat stretches", which maintain the rails in a desired spaced relation. These seat stretchers have conventionally been formed of wood, the same as the frame rails. However, the wooden seat stretchers are becoming increasingly unsatisfactory both from the standpoint of economics and from the standpoint of performance. Past attempts to substitute metal seat stretchers have proved unsuccessful because of the weight and expense inherent in the structures heretofore proposed.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved frame rail attachment which is effective to maintain the rails in a desired spaced relation and which can be economically manufactured and installed.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The frame rail attachment of this invention consists of a one piece metal body formed from a thin gauge rolled or formed section and bent so as to form an elongated main section which is of a length corresponding substantially to the desired spacing between the frame rails and has upturned end sections at its ends. The rolled section from which the body is formed is of generally U-shaped or channel shape in transverse section, having a web and legs which extend from opposite edges of the web and are return bent upon themselves so that the legs are of double thickness. After the body is bent and installed on the frame rails, the legs extend downwardly from opposite edges of the web at positions generally below the frame rails. As a result, the spring forces which normally tend to move the frame rails toward each other provide for a loading of the body somewhat as a column, the result being that the web is subjected principally to compression stresses and the legs are subjected to tensile stresses. The web can adequately resist the compressive stresses to which it is subjected even when formed of thin gauge metal. Likewise, the double thickness legs tend to be strongest in tension, so that they are also capable of resisting the stresses to which they are subjected. Thus, by virtue of the utilization of the channel shape in the main section, the body can be formed of light weight, inexpensive, thin gauge material without detracting from the ability of the body to resist the loads normally encountered.

Furthermore, when the body is shaped to provide the upturned ends, each of these ends has a pair of legs which project toward the adjacent frame rail. As a result, when the end sections are secured to the frame rails, usually by conventional wood screws, the free ends of the legs bite into the wooden rails so as to positively preclude squirming of the upturned end sections on the rails during use of the seating structure. Any possibility of objectionable noise due to movement of the attachment on the rails is thus positively precluded.

Intermediate its ends, the main section of the attachment is bowed downwardly to provide clearance for the seating struc ture springs when they are loaded. This is not only advantageous from the standpoint of preventing undesirable engagement of the seating structure springs with the frame rail attachments but in addition provides for a prestressing of the main section so as to increase its ability to resist seating loads. In other words, this shape of the body member to provide the downward bow involves bending of the web and the depending legs in directions tending to prestress the web and the legs according to the stresses to which these parts will be subjected in use.

Certain areas of the main section of the body are flat and substantially horizontal. This enables the attachmentto these areas of socket members into which seating structure legs can readily be assembled, so that the frame rail attachment of this invention will provide for a convenient attachment of supporting lets to the seating structure.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a seating structure showing the frame rail attachment of this invention in assembly relation therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the frame rail attachment of this invention shown mountedon a pair of horizontally spaced frame rails;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged transverse sectional views of the frame rail attachment of this invention as seen from substantially the lines 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5, respectively, in FIG. 2; and l FIG. 6 is a top view of one end of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

With reference to the drawing, the frame rail attachment of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is illustrated in FIG. 1 in assembly relation with a seatingstructure 12, such as an elongated couch or sofa, having horizontally spaced front and rear frame rails 14 and 16, respectively, on which the usual seat springs 16 are mounted. The springs 18 normally tend to move the frame rails 14 and 16 toward each other, the extent of this movement being related to the lengths of the rails 14 and 16, and the principal purpose of the attachment 10 is to counteract these spring forces and maintain the rails 14 and 16 in a desired spaced relation.

The attachment 10 consists of a one piece metal body 20 formed from a rolled section having a web 22 and depending legs 24 of each of which is return belt upon itself so that it is of double thickness, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and is integral with the web 22 at the edges 26 thereof. The body 20 is bent so as to form an elongated main section 28 which is of a length corresponding substantially to the spacing between the rails 14 and 16 and which has a pair of upturned end sections 30 at its end. The main section 28 is of a generally downwardly bowed shape having end areas 32 and a center area 34 which are substantially horizontal and inclined sections 36 which extend therebetween.

The main section 28 is preferably arranged so that the legs 24 extend downwardly from opposite edges 26 of the web 22. As a result, when the body 20 is loaded in use, by spring forces tending to move the rails 14 and 16 toward each other, the web 22 is subjected principally to compressive stresses and the legs 24 are subjected principally to tensile stresses which are highest at the terminal edges 38 of the legs 24. By virtue of the return bending of each leg 24 upon itself, the leg 24 has the greatest resistance to tensile stresses at its terminal edge 38. The ability of the web 22 to resist the compression stresses to which it is subjected is enchanced by the provision of a generally V-shaped embossment 40 in the main section 28. Thus, it can be seen that by virtue of the shape of the main section 28, an efficient utilization of the metal in the section 28 is obtained to resist the loads to which the body 20 is subjected.

Socket members 42, which can take the form of nuts, are secured to the flat areas 32 and 34 of the section 28 so as to provide for the ready attachment of leg units 44 (FIG. 1) t0 the attachment l0 sothat the attachment 10 can function as the main support for the seating structure 12.

Also, by virtue of the channel shape of the body member 20 and its disposition so that in the main section 28 the legs 24 depend from the web edges 22, the legs 24 in the end sections 30 project toward the rails 14 and 16, which are conventionally formed of wood. The upturned end sections 30 are secured to the rails 14 and 16 by means such as the wood screws 46 shown in FIG. 2, and when the screws 46 are tightened, the terminal ends 38 of the legs 24 tend to project or bite into the rails 14 and 16 thus precluding any squirming of the attachment 10 on the rails 14 and 16 on which it is mounted. stiffening embossments 47 are formed in the end sections 30 to enable the end sections 30 to resist being converted by the screws 46 when the screws are tightened. At the juncture of the upturned end sections 30 and the main section 28, the web 22 is provided with an inverted V-shape embossment 48 which functions as a gusset to further strengthen the attachment in its ability to resist bending.

The attachment 10 is readily manufactured in quantity from light gauge material, a 19 gauge steel of an approximate thickness of 0.044 inches being preferred. Such material is readily rolled to the cross sectional shape shown in FIG. 4, bent to the shape shown in FIG. 2 and provided with the reinforcing embossments 40 and 48. The attachment 10 can readily be provided in various lengths adapting it for standard seating structure widths, and when installed the attachment 10 will maintain the rails 14 and 16 in a desired spaced relation over a prolongedservice life without materially adding to the weight of the seating structure. By virtue of its shape, the seating structure 10 provides clearance space for deflection of the seating structure springs 18 and provides for the ready attachment of supporting leg units 44 to the seating structure.

It will be understood that the frame rail attachment for seating structures which is herein disclosed and described is presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and is not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of channel shape in transverse cross section having a web portion and upright downwardly extending spaced leg portions at opposite edges of said web portion. v

2; The attachment according to claim 1 wherein each of said leg portions is return bent upon itself so that is is of double thickness.

3. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein said web portion of said main section has areas intermediate the ends of said main section which are substantially horizontal, and socket members secured to said web areas for supporting leg units for said rails.

4. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein each of said upturned end sections is also of substantially channel shape in transverse section and has an upright web portion and leg portions which extend toward and are engaged with a frame rail.

5. In combination with a seating structure having horizontally spaced frame rails, a rail attachment connected to and extending between said rails so as to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween, said attachment comprising a unitary metal body member formed from a rolled section shaped to resemble a channel having a web and legs extending from opposite edges of said web, each of said legs being return bent upon itself so that it is of double thickness, said body member being bent to form an elongated main section in which said legs extend downwardly from opposite edges of said web and a pair of upturned end sections in which said web extends vertically and said legs extend toward and into engagement with said rails, and means securing said upturned end sections to said rails.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said frame rails are formed of wood and the edges of said legs in said upturned end sections project into said frame rails. 

1. In a seating structure which includes a pair of transversely spaced frame rails and spring means mounted on and extending between said rails, a rail attachment connected to and extend between said rails so as to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween, said attachment comprising a metal body having an elongated main section of a length substantially equal to said spacing and a pair of upturned end sections secured to said rails, said main section being of substantially channel shape in transverse cross section having a web portion and upright downwardly extending spaced leg portions at opposite edges of said web portion.
 2. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein each of said leg portions is return bent upon itself so that is is of double thickness.
 3. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein said web portion of said main section has areas intermediate the ends of said main section which are substantially horizontal, and socket members secured to said web areas for supporting leg units for said rails.
 4. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein each of said upturned end sections is also of substantially channel shape in transverse section and has an upright web portion and leg portions which extend toward and are engaged with a frame rail.
 5. In combination with a seating structure having horizontally spaced frame rails, a rail attachment connected to and extending between said rails so as to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween, said attachment comprising a unitary metal body member formed from a rolled section shaped to resemble a channel having a web and legs extending from opposite edges of said web, each of said legs being return bent upon itself so that it is of double thickness, said body member being bent to form an elongated main section in which said legs extend downwardly from opposite edges of said web and a pair of upturned end sections in which said web extends vertically and said legs extend toward and into engagement with said rails, and means securing said upturned end sections to said rails.
 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said frame rails are formed of wood and the edges of said legs in said upturned end sections project into said frame rails. 